Millwall boss Gary Rowett gives verdict on Murray Wallace as Scot shifted back to central defensive role at Crawley

Millwall manager Gary Rowett played Murray Wallace in the middle of a back three in Saturday’s EFL Cup win at Crawley Town – and was pleased with the results.

The Scottish defender played last season on the left of the defence. But the addition of Scott Malone is likely to see him miss out in that role if the Lions play wing-backs.

Wallace, 27, has played 227 matches at centre-back and only 59 as a left-back.

Asked about fielding the former Scunthorpe United defender between Shaun Hutchinson and Jake Cooper, Rowett replied: “I thought he did well. Muzza is what he is – a great professional.

“He’s always a very consistent performer. I just felt last season if Pearcey [Alex Pearce], for example, wasn’t available then we had to go back to a back four.

“So by bringing Scottie Malone in – and having Fergie [Shane Ferguson] as an option down that side as well – Muzza almost drops back naturally into positions he favours anyway.

“He’s played left of a three, he’s played in the middle of the three – it just gives us a little bit more mobility at times, where if we are going to step in and don’t want to be exploited by a little bit of space around the centre-backs.

“It gives us another option. Pearcey is a fantastic leader and played a lot of minutes pre-season as well. It just gave someone else a chance for us to look at something.”